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DYKBEWONER THE VANDYKE FAMILY JOURNAL ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ VOLUME 1, NUMBER 3 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ MAY 1996 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cecil VanDyke, Editor Post Office Box 2167, Shelby, North Carolina 28151 DYKBEWONER, THE VANDYKE FAMILY JOURNAL, is a newsletter for VANDYKE researchers. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide a place to exchange VANDYKE information and to learn more about our ancestors. For our Journal to be successful, it will require the input from all segments of our family. Suggestions for improvements, articles, family stories, Bible records, birth records, marriage records, and death records are needed for quarterly publication. Please make your comments heard by writing to the editor at the above address. For those that have an email address, your copy can be sent directly from my computer to yours. DYKBEWONER, will be published quarterly, in November, February, May and August. The annual subscription rate is $9.00 if the subscription is to be sent through the United States mail. For those that want the subscription sent by email, the annual subscription is $7.00. Prior copies, except the PREMIER EDITION issued in September 1995, will be $2.50 per single copy. The subscription year begins with the November edition. Checks should be made payable to Cecil VanDyke. Queries are free to subscribers and are not limited per year. They will be published on a space available basis and in the order of receipt. For non-subscribers, queries are $3.00 per issue with a copy of the issue being sent to the non-subscriber. Replies should be sent to the address in the query with a copy being sent to the Editor for possible publication in a future edition of DYKBEWONER. in many cases the only address that will be available will be the editor's because many of the queries will come over the Internet by email. Complimentary copies of each issue will be sent to various libraries and genealogy societies around the country. Please submit your suggestions for libraries and societies directly to the Editor. There will not be a subscription charge to nonprofit genealogy societies. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^WHEN QUERYING, DON'T FORGET THOSE SASE'S ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The following information about Peter VanDyke and his descendants was provided by Mr. & Mrs. Lester C. Van Dyke. Betty Jo included with the information a copy of the death certificate for Albert B. Van Dyke along with a copy of the family Bible . Lester and Betty Jo's present address is 1113 Paradise Drive, Martinez, CA 94553-4833. They would like more information about Peter VanDyke.
Albert P. Van Dyke born 4 Sep 1837, married 19 Dec 1859, in Canarsie, NY, Charity Denice, born 1840, died 7 Dec 1894. Albert died 22 Feb 1985, Mill Lane, Flatlands, NY, buried: Reformed Cemetary. "A newspaper account after Albert's death stated that he was a highly respecte d member of the community. His death certiciate sates that he was a farmer and died from La Grippe and was asthmatic." (1) Children: 3. i Stephen born 4 Mar 1870. Second Generation 3. Stephen Van Dyke born 4 Mar 1870, Canarsie, NY, married 4 Mar 1896, in Canarsie, NY, Selina Seaman, born 4 May 1873, died 30 Oct 1953, Bayville, NY. Stephen died 12 Apr 1955, Bayville, NY. Stephen's "...method of disipline seems sever today. His son told of him hanging the boys by their thumbs in a barn. His oldest son at age 16 was doing some work with a team of horses. Evidently he wasn't doing it to suit his father. Steven ran and got a bullwhip. As he started to use it on son, Lester, standing 6 foot and 3 inches, grabbed the bullwhip and left home. But his son loved his father. One time when drunk, his brother-in-law was beating up on him (Stephen) as Stephen was not a large man, young Lester jumped off the wagon and knocked Charley flat. Uncle never bothered Steven after that. As he grew older, I remember him as a little old fellow that was dependent on his wife. Steven was a farmer, a gravedigger and a clam digger. He lived to age 84." Children: 4. i Lester Rushmore born 5 Sep 1897. ii Charles E. Van Dyke born 3 Mar 1899, Canarsie, NY, died 29 Dec 1953, Long Island, NY. iii Wesley Van Dyke. iv Willet Raymond Van Dyke born 27 Jul 1906. v Walter Carman Van Dyke born 27 Jul 1906, married (1) May Cleary, married (2) Betty. Walter died 10 Jun 1957. vi Arthur Van Dyke. vii Madeline Van Dyke born 25 Apr 1915, married Nicholas Gade. Third Generation 4. Lester Rushmore Van Dyke born 5 Sep 1897, New York, married (1) Gertrude Walling, born 25 Sep 1900, New Jersey, died 1968, Kings Park, NY, buried: Brookville Reformed Cem, Brookville, NY, married (2) Thelma. Lester died 5 Sep 1958, New York City, NY, buried: Pinelawn Cemetary. "His Dad would dig clams, shuck them and peddle them to wealthy Long Islanders. After his death, a neighbor wrote to his son: I so well remember your father as a boy that lived in Brookville. He came with his Dad selling horsradish. His father would grate it and sell it to the eager housewife by the glass. He was such a pretty boy and how my Mom loved him. He was a good hardworking boy. I'm writing to tell you what a nice chap he was. Lester was tahught to be a Master Craftsman by Walter Fuller from Boston. When quite young, he went to NC or VA and helped build a mansion. His three sons all became highly respected contractor's. His first wife became ill after child birth and spent many years in a hospital. He died from emphephsyma in a VA hospital in New York City." Children: i Gerald Albert Van Dyke born 6 Nov 1921, married Alta Jones. Gerald buried: Roslyn, NY. ii Harold Edmond Van Dyke born 5 Nov 1922, Hicksville, LI, NY, died 26 Nov 1995, Roslyn, NY. 5. iii Lester Clinton born 12 May 1924. iv Dorothey Gertrude Van Dyke born 28 Oct 1931, Hicksville, NY, died 31 Oct 1931, Hicksville, NY Fourth Generation (2) 5. Lester Clinton Van Dyke born 12 May 1924, Hicksville, NY, married 10 Jun 1944, Betty Josephine Berney, born 23 Jan 1925, Idaho. "He served in the military Nov. 11, 1942 to Feb. 16, 1946 in New York. Les was in the Army Air Corp during WWII. He was stationed in Miami, Denver, Windover, Utah, Texas and an Air Cadet at the College of Idaho where he met Betty Berney and they were married. Les's Dad taught his sons the carpenter trade and how to work. After the Army Les was a carpenter. Then he went to school to be a draftsman, but carpenters earn more. He worked in his brother's construction firm. In California he sold Real Estate and became a contractor. His hobby is airplanes. He built his own Ultralite (airplane) at the age of 70." ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A friend of mine, Frank Manno, recently sent me a newspaper clipping about a member of the VanDyke family. The article appeared in the November 7, 1995 edition of USA TODAY. The following quotes are from the article: "Mike Maxwell emerges almost daily from Nevada's locker room wearing a Florida State cap. If he played for the Seminoles or another well-known power maybe Maxwell would be one of the most famous names in college football. And maybe wide receiver Alex VanDyke would be too. They are putting up statistics that would otherwise earn Heisman Trophy attention, but because they play for Nevada, their names aren't mentioned every week on EPSN. VanDyke is leading the nation in receiving, averaging 11.6 catches and 153 yards a game. And he's second to Iowa State's Troy Davis in all-purpose yards, averaging 209.44 a game." Back in December 1995, I got the opportunity to watch a few minutes of Alex playing for Navada one night on TV...wish I could have seen more since he has been drafted by the New York Jets. He was the 31st pick in the NFL draft. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ QUERY - George Bagshaw, 566 Willow Oak Lane, Orange Park, FL 32073 is looking for informarion on Nancy VAN DYKE. Nancy married William Armstrong in 1818. She was born in 1799 in or near Franklin County, PA. Her date of death is June 14, 1872 in Chamberburg, PA. Her children are: (1) Leander born in 1819; (2) Angeline; (3) Ellen born in 1833; (4) William born in 1832; (5) Mary Jane born in 1836; (6) Charlotte born in 1838. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ QUERY - Phillip Yarisa of Washington State is looking for additional information about his 2nd great grandmother, Amanda VANDYKE. She was born about 1860 and married Joseph Seaton of West Sunbury, Butler County, PA. Their children are Ann, Alice, Plumer, Brenda, Myra and Grace. Amanda had three brothers/sisters: (1) Salina, (2) Tabitha, (3) Huston. All replies should be sent to PO BOX 2167, SHELBY, NC 28151 since the only address that I have for Phillip is an email address. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A Joshua VanDyke enlisted in the Confederate Army at Camp Holmes, near Raleigh, North Carolina, October 19, 1864. He is listed as a parole of the Army of Northern Virginia. His surrender was at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, April 9, 1865. He served with Company F of the Thirty-fourth (34th) North Carolina Regiment. Others from Rutherford and Cleveland Counties that served in the 34th are Doctor N. Hamrick, William Brooks, Samuel Bridges, David A. Bowen, Jr.(my third great uncle), Amos Hamrick, Adam Whinaut, Jesse R. Lattimore, and James Lattimore. On June 13, 1996, I found the following deed at the Rutherford County courthouse in Rutherfordton, North Carolina: "Registered Sept 14 1896 - This indenture made and entered into this the 2nd day of December 1893 (3) between J. Vandyke of the county of Rutherford and State of North Carolina of the first part and Ollie {VanDyke} Upton, Robert Vandyke {complete name was William Robert VanDyke}, Lewis Vandyke and Frank Vandyke heirs at law of the said J. Vandyke. Witnesseth that the party of the first part, for the natural love and affection that he has for the party of the second part in consideration of the sum of one dollar in hand paid by the party of the second part the receipt whereof is hereby confessed, The party of the first part hereby gives grants and bargains and conveys unto the party of second part one tract of land in Rutherford county on the waters North Fork River known as the land where the said J. Vandyke now lives joining lands of James Sims and others containing 80 acres the boundrey of which the deed that John Sims made to J. Vandyke on the 1 day of June 1889 will fully show to which reference is made to have and to hold the aforesaid lands with all the apprutenances thereto belonging own anywise appertaining {?} Excepting the following the J. Vandyke reserves unto himself the right to exercise absolute controll of said {?} during his natural life time and no longer and the party of the first part hereby convenants that he will warrant the title to aforesaid land free and clear from the lawful claims of all persons whomever subject to the aforesaid reservation unto the party of the second part in fee simple forever date first written in the presents of J. M. Mode and E. C. Mode." Joshua signed the deed as J. Vandyke and it was proved at 10 o'clock on Sept. 14, 1896 before F. C. Smith, Clerk of Superior Court. Joshua is Cecil VanDyke's 2nd great-grandfather. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ While in Washington, D. C., I copied the following information from the 1880 and 1900 census records for the State of California: I. California 1800 census
A. Samuel VanDyke born 1837, PA, married Mary, born 1841, PA. 1. Charles P. VanDyke born 1863, CA. 2. Wallace VanDyke born 1869, CA. 3. Emma K. VanDyke born 1871, CA. 4. George C. VanDyke born 1874, CA. 5. Harry C. VanDyke born 1876, CA.
B. Theadore VanDyke born 1843, NJ, married Loria A., born 1853, NY. 1. John H. VanDyke born 1875, NY. 2. Unnamed Son VanDyke born 1880, CA.
C. W. VanDyke born 1825, NY, married R., born 1836, PE Island. 1. I. VanDyke born 1854, CA. 2. Will VanDyke born 1858, CA. 3. C. VanDyke born 1860, CA. 4. W. L. VanDyke born 1864, CA. 5. E. C. VanDyke born 1869, CA. 6. H. R. VanDyke born 1872, CA.
II. California 1900 census
A. James W. VanDyke born 1833, IN, married Celia, born 1837, Iowa. (4) 1. Fred VanDyke born 1877, Iowa. 2. Milo VanDyke born 1878, Iowa. 3. Homor VanDyke born 1881, CA. 4. Emmit VanDyke born 1883, Iowa. 5. Benjamin VanDyke born 1885, Kansas. 6. Earl VanDyke born 1894, CA.
B. John VanDyke born 1838, Kansas, married Kitty, born 1876, CA. 1. Ethyl VanDyke born 1896, CA.
C. Kate VanDyke born 1860, Oregon.
D. Lois A. VanDyke born New York. The census record shows that "she did not know her age." 1. Mary VanDyke born 1892, CA. E. Sarah VanDyke born 1859, CA. Sarah and Margaretta were living with Sarah's brother in law, Frank E. Berier. F. Mary VanDyke born 1834, Ireland. G. VanDyke VanDyke born 1875, Missosuri. His first name was listed as VanDyke. He was living with his uncle, Ben Doak. H. Vitoire VanDyke born 1848, Michigan. I. Walter VanDyke born 1826, New York, married Rowlna, born 1836, Canada. 1. Caroline VanDyke born 1860, CA. 2. Henry S. VanDyke born 1872, CA.
J. Wm. M. VanDyke born 1828, CA.
1. Annie VanDyke born 1892, CA. 2. Walter VanDyke born 1893, CA. 3. Douglas VanDyke born 1895, CA.
K. William S. VanDyke born 1858, IL, married Emma, born 1861, CA. 1. Emma VanDyke born 1891, CA. 2. William S. VanDyke, Jr. born 1893, CA. 3. Ethel VanDyke born 1876, CA. 4. Benjamin VanDyke born 1888, CA. 5. Claude VanDyke born 1890, CA. 6. Valney VanDyke born 1897, CA. 7. Margaret VanDyke born 1900, CA. (5) L. Bert C. VanDyke born 1872, Ohio. M. Carl VanDyke born 1867, Holland. N. Carl VanDyke born 1885, N. Dakota. O. Carolina VanDyke born 1818, PA. She was living with her grandson, George Harkey. P. Catherine VanDyke born 1876, Oregon. Q. Charlie P. VanDyke born 1863, CA, married Cora A., born 1861, Maine. 1. Gladys A. VanDyke born 1889, CA. R. Charles VanDyke born 1827, PA. He was listed as being an inmate in a hospital. S. David VanDyke born 1840, PA. 1. F. L. VanDyke born 1874, Ohio. T. Dix VanDyke born 1880, CA. U. F. A. VanDyke born 1848, Ohio, married Nancy M., born 1851, Iowa.
1. Ralph VanDyke born 1875, Nebraska. 2. Frank VanDyke born 1880, CA. 3. Clarke VanDyke born 1885, CA. V. Sarah VanDyke born 1840, Missouri. Sarah is a sister to F. A. VanDyke. 1. Margaretta VanDyke born 1899, CA. W. George C. VanDyke born 1874, CA, married Florence, born 1880, CA. He appears to the same George VanDyke that is shown in 1880 California census as the son of Samuel and Mary VanDyke. 1. Harry VanDyke born 1899, CA. 2. Georgia VanDyke born 1900, CA. X. Henry W. VanDyke born 1830, West VA. 1. Elby VanDyke born 1868, Iowa. Y. George G. VanDyke born 1863, Iowa, occupation: Nurse. Z. Honor VanDyke born 1879, Iowa. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (6) The following information comes from SOMESET COUNTY HISTORICAL QUARTERLY, Volume V which was originally published in 1916 and reprinted in 1988 by Hunterdon House, 38 Swan Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530. A. Cornelius Van Dyke died after 1833. Served as a priv. and serg. in the militia during the Rev. War. He filed for a pension on Feb. 28, 1833 at the age of 75. Ibid., p. 49. B. Emiline Van Dyke married 19 Oct 1855, in Somerset County, NJ, Richard Hoagland. Ibid., p. 52. C. Mary Van Dyke married 23 Oct 1854, in Somerset County, NJ, Stephen Hunt. Ibid., p. 55. D. Jane Van Dyke married Peter Worley. Ibid., p. 65. 1. Phebe Worley baptized: 28 Feb 1808, First Reformed Church, Somerville, NJ. 2. Cornelious Van Dyke baptized: 16 Apr 1809, First Reformed Church, Somerville, NJ. Ibid., p.66. 3. Mary Ann Howell Worley baptized: 26 Sep 1813, First Reformed Church, Somerville, NJ. Ibid., p.69. E. Henry J. Van Dyke married 24 Nov 1789, in PA, Polly Biggar. Their marriage was performed by the Rev. George G. Brinckerhoff while he was the pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Conewago, Pa. Ibid., p. 78. F. Elsha Van Dyke married Martin Voorhees. Elsha died Harlingen, NJ. This couple was also listed in Vol. IV of the SOMERSET COUNTY HISTORICAL QUARTERLY but her name was spelled as Elsie instead of Elsha. Ibid., p. 115. 1. Peter Voorhees born about 1787, married Jane Schenck. Peter died 4 Jul 1853. "Peter the fourth, who married Jane Schenck, lived on the homestead of the fifth generation (of Vorrhees) and was the last of the Voorhees family who owned and occupied it. He was esteemed as a worthy member and supporter of the church at Blawenburg, and rendered important aid in the organization of the congregation and in the buliding of the church edifice in 1830. He was for a time Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, for three years a member of the Legislature (at the time the Constitution of 1844 was adopted). He had other important public trusts committed to him which he executed, enjoying the confidence of his fellow-citizens." Ibid., p. 115-116. Jane: Her father was Capt. John Schenck of Amwell who was a brave and daring officer during the American Revolution. Ibid., p. 115. a. Alice Voorhees married John V. D. Joline. b. John S. Voorhees married Sarah Ann Van Doren. c. Charity Voorhees married Samuel D. Bergen. (7) d. Mary Voorhees married Reuben A. Drake. e. Ada H. Voorhees f. Peter Voorhees married Anna Dayton. g. Frederick Voorhees h. Jane P. Voorhees married J. B. Davis. 2. John Voorhees "...who remained unmarried, died in the South, where he had gone for his health, and was for some time an inmate of the family of General Jackson...". Ibid., p. 115. 3. Leah Voorhees married Ferdinand S. Schenck, born 11 Feb 1790, died 19 Dec 1817. Leah died 22 Jun 1857. Ferdinand: "Dr. Schenck, Sr., besides attending to an extensive practice as a physican, conducted the affairs connected with his farm at Six-Mile Run with great success, being the first in that section to introduce new modes of cultivation, and of applying modern fertilizers for the renovtion of wornout land, thereby stimulating his neighbors to follow his example. Dr. Schenck was among the first who planted orchards and raised peaches in which his efforts were attended with great success and profit. As a citzen he was much esteemed, enjoying the confidence of the public, and by them had many important trusts committed to his care. He was elected and served as member of Congress 1833-37." Ibid., p. 261. a. Martin Luther Schenck born 19 Nov 1818, married (1) 20 Sep 1842, Jane Cockburn, married (2) Abigail Van Derveer. Martin died 11 Mar 1873. "He was a minister of the Gospel of the Reformed Chruch, and died suddenly March 11, 1873, while stationed at Plattekill." Ibid., p. 260. b. Alice Schenck born 5 Jun 1820, married Ansley D. White. c. Margaret Schenck born 21 Apr 1822, married Garret Nevius. d. John V. Schenck born 17 Nov 1825, married 6 Jul 1857, Mattie McKeen. He "...is a practicing physician in Camden, N. J." Ibid., p. 260. e. Sarah Schenck born 23 Feb 1827, died 18 Sep 1830. f. Garret C. Schenck born 11 Dec 1829, died 14 Jan 1859. He "...practiced law in Newark, N. J....". Ibid., p. 260 g. Adrian V. S. Schenck born 5 Jul 1832, married 9 Sep 1858, Elizabeth Godfrey. Adrian died 16 Aug 1863. He "...practiced law in Newark.". Ibid., p. 260. h. Ferdinand S. Schenck, Jr. born 26 May 1835, died 15 Dec 1855. He was a student of medicine. Ibid., p. 261. (8) i. Peter V. Schenck born 23 May 1838, married Annie McCune. He practiced medicine in St. Louis. Ibid., p. 261. 4. Sarah Voorhees married Abram Cruser. Sarah died Kingston, NJ. Abram: He was "...for some time Sheriff of Middlesex County (NJ)." Ibid., p. 115. 5. Frederick Van Dyke Voorhees married Cornelia Polhemus. He lived and died on the homestead at Harlingen, New Jersey. Ibid., p. 115. 6. Charity Voorhees married Joseph Patterson. G. Catherine Van Dyke married William Vliet. 1. Ida Ann Vliet born 9 Jul 1811, married Daniel Castner Gaston, born 14 Oct 1807, died 2 Aug 1888. Ida died 29 Feb 1880. H. Sophia Van Dyke born about 1717, died 25 Nov 1813, The South Middlebush Graveyard, Somerset. I. John Van Dyke married Mary Gano. 1. Cornelius Van Dyke baptized: 24 Jan 1819, First Reformed Church, Raritan,Somervill. J. Nicholas Thomasse Van Dyck married 20 Apr 1689, Tryntie Reyniersen. He was the son of Thomas Jan Van Dyck. He and his 2nd wife "...had but one child, Tryntie, bapt. Aug. 24, 1690 at Brooklyn. [Nicholas removed to Six-Mile Somerset Co., about 1703, but returned to Brooklyn and then removed to Delaware, where his son, Nicholas, became Governor.]." Ibid., p. 286 K. Isasc Van Dyke married Barbara Reyniersen. Isasc died 1727. He is a son of Thomas Janse Van Dyke. "They lived first in Westchester county and were early members of the Sleepy Hollow Dutch church; about 1703 they lived in Somerset County., N. J., being members of the Dutch church at Three- Mile Run in 1717." Ibid., p. 287. 1. Thomas Van Dyke baptized: 13 Aug 1706, Sleepy Hollow. 2. Mary Van Dyke 3. Isaac Van Dyke L. Albert Van Dyke married 8 Dec 1803, Jane Wyckoff. M. Jacobes Vandick married Jenneke. 1. Maregreta Vandick baptized: 22 Dec 1771, Readington Church, Somerset Co., NJ. N. Phebe Van Dike married Jno Brown. (9) 1. Jno. Bayard Brown baptized: 3 Aug 1823, First Reformed Church, Somerset Co., NJ. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ While visiting the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) library in Washington, D. C. , I discovered several books dealing with the VanDyke family. In future editions, I will review several of the books. In one of the books, I learned that the current day name of Richard was originally written as "Dirk." ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ In the book DISTINGUISHED FAMILIES IN AMERICA DESCENDED FROM WILHELMUS BEEKMAN AND JAN THOMASSE VAN DYKE, I found the following information on Colonel John Van Dyke. You might remember from earlier editions of DYKBEWONER, that John served in the British Army during the Revolution War. "John Van Dyke, born April 17, 1747, married Rebecca Van Dyke, his first cousin, daughter of Roelof Van Dyke and Catharine Emans his wife. They lived in the old Van Dyke homestead at Harlingen, N. J. built about 1758 by Roelof Van Dyke. The house sets back from the highway according to the Dutch custom and it is a large substantial structure. " Ibid., p. 207 "Grandmother Maragret VanDyke Houghton told me some of the stories that her father Co. John Van Dyke used to tell her. He was at Fort Duquesne (now Pittsgurgh) and at Fort Ticonderoga. When first he saw the Frence and the Indians in war paint coming, his knees knocked and he trembled in every limb - but the instant the first bullet whizzed by he rushed fearlessly at the enemy." Ibid., p. 208 "When the storm of Revolution finally broke, it cast its awful, its double gloom on this happy homestead. 'Col. John' had a moral battle to face. Had he not sworn his allegiance to the crown of England in the Colonial war? Here was his country, kindred, friends, his home, his devoted wife and their little ones. Did he not owe them allegiance? These tore at his heart-strings, but that solemn oath which his inflexible conscience forbade him to violate triumphed. In vain all who loved him, zealous patriots all, pleaded. They were bound by no oath. For him he could see his duty in no other way. 'Well John,' said his father sadly, 'if you must go to the British deed back this place to me.' 'Yes, father,' said the son, 'on condition you will deed it to my wife and children, if I never come back.' Col. John Van Dyke although he kept his oath seved in the naval service in preference to duty on land. Once he came to the New Jersey coast. Grandmother told me of the excitement in the home, when his message came to meet him on the coast. Jack a faithful slave soon had the covered carriage at the door. She went too on that ling drive across New Jersey to meet her father. He brought them beautiful things from England; delicacies that could not be bought then in this country and for her he brought a red French calico dress. On the drive back to Harlingen they were halted at an American outpost. It was known that it was Col. John Van Dyke's team. The goods were seized and put up at auction. It was a very interested little girl who watched the proceedings, heard her mother bid them back, then pay the money and say; 'Jack, drive on!' At the next outpost they passed the same experience was repeated, except that no red French calico was captured. Grandmother laughed merrily as she recalled how she made sure of that, and kept it covered under her arm." Ibid., p. 208-209 ...........continued in the August 1996 edition (10) |
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